Combined mechanical dishwasher and cabinet therefor



Sept. 29, 1931.

F. A. WALKER COMBINED MECHANICAL DISHWASHER AND CABINEJ'I THEREFOR Filed Dec. 7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l W/r/vA-ss Sept. 29, 1931. WALKER 1,825,033

COMBINED MECHANICAL DISHWASHER AND CABINET THEREFOR Filed Dec.' 7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A v Jr )5 Q 03 47 60 a #8 a 7 1R.

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V/rwsss BY M v-W AT ORNEYS Sept. 29, 1931. P. AJWALKER 1,825,033 COMBINED MECHANICAL DISHWASHER AND CABINET THEREFOR Filed Dec. 7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 S 3 M H w W a J 4 Sept. 29, 1931. F. A. WALKER 1,825,033

COMBINED MECHANICAL DISHWASHER AND CABINET THEREFOR Filed Dec. 7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 illllllll Patented Sept. 29, 1931 ronnner A. wmorfsnecusn; NEW YORK, Assmnon '10 WALKER. nrsnwasnnn NT orrice CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE coninmi' msnwasnnn AND canmm THEREFOR innit-ma ma December 1, 192:. mm K9. 41am.

This invention, relates to a combined mechanical dishwasher and cabinet therefor and refers more particularly to the construction of the cabinet and to the means for su porting and concealing the mechanical dishwasher therein and to other more or less important adjuncts associated with both of the elements for increasing the efliciency and convenience of the combination as a hole.

These mechanical dishwashers exclusive of cabinets are used extensively in the kitchens of homes, hotels, restaurants, boardinghouses and the like and necessarily involve the use of moving parts which are usually driven by an electric motor, thereby introducing certain dangers in the operation of the machine by inexperienced or careless users in addition to the fact that the appearance of the machine as commonly used frequently clashes with the other fixtures or furnishings of the room,- and the main object of. the present invention is to support the machine within and upon a'suitable cabinet or housing of pleasing appearan ce'iand capable of not only protecting the user against injury by any of the moving parts or electric current, but also of protecting the various parts of the machine against in urious contact with external objects. e

Another object is to enable the mechanical dishwasher and cabinet to be easily. and quickly assembled, one within the other, without material alteration of any ofthe parts of the mechanical dishwasher, thuspermitting thel'atter to be used inthe usual way independently of the cabinet when desired.

Another object is to permit the use of the combined mechanical dishw sher and cabinet in suburban and-other places where soil pipe drainage is inaccessible. f

' Other objects and uses relating to specific part of the apparatus will be brought out in the ollowing description.

In the drawings:

F'gure 1 is a perspective view of a com-' electric motor. having its armature shaft -6- co-axial with the axis of the vat bined mechanical dishwasher and enclosin cabinet therefor, the door of the cabinet an parts mounted thereon being shown by dotted lines in its opening sition.

Figure 2 is an enlarge horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line 2-2, Fi ure 1. igure 3 is an enlarged inner face view the detail lock and release mechanism for the door taken in the plane of line 3-3, Figure2.

Figure 4'is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the same machine taken in the plane of line 4-4, Figure 1. Fi ure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sec .tiona view taken in the plane of 5-5, Fig- Figures 9 and 10 are detail horizontal sectional views taken respectively in the planes of lines 9-9 and 10-10, Figure 8.

. Figure 11 is a detail vertical sectional view taken in theplane of line 11-11, Figure 8.

Figure 12 isan enlarged detail perspective view, partly in section, of one of the lower corners of the cabinet showing a modified form of supporting leg therefor.

Figure 13 is anenlarged vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 13-13, Figure .12.

As illustrated this apparatus comprises a mechanical dishwasher unit -A- and a cabinet or housing -B- within and upon which the mechanical dishwasher is supported and concealed. The mechanical dishwasher comprises an upright cylindrical vat 1- havmg a frusto-conical bottom -2- provided with an opening in its apex for receiving a 'bushing 3- upon which is mounted a motor-supporting frame -4- carrying an and extended through a central opening in the buShingI-3-; v

The bus 'ng -3- is flanged against the upper face of the walls. of the opening through which it extends while the adjacent I portion of the frame 4- surrounds the pendant extension of the bushin and engages 5 the underside of said walls and is provided with radial clamping screws -7 for engagin the pendant extension of the bushing and t ereby firmly clamping said bushing and adjacent portion of the frame -4 against the lower and upper faces respectively of the walls of the opening in which the bushing is mounted, thereby forming a water-tight joint at the opening. w The portion of the frame 4- surround- -3 is provided with a socket for receiving the upper end of the motor -5 which is secured to the overlying portion of the frame 4 by clamping screws or bolts 8 as shown in Figure 4.

The frame 4- is provided with a hollow lateral extension 9 communicating with a drainage outlet 10 in the bottom of the vat '1'close(to but at one sideof the open ing' in which the bushing 3- is mounted.

This hollow lateral extension 9, Figure 8, constitutes a drainage conduit which terminates at its outer end in an upright cylindrical 8 shell or standpipe 11 having a drainage by a valve seat 13.' n

The upper end of the cylindrical portion -11- is provided with a cap section -14 having a central opening therein coaxial with the drainage outlet 12 for receiving a valve operating member 1'5, shown more clearly in Figure 8.- a

The valve operating member 15- is movable verticallyin the central opening in 49 the top section -1 1- a d has its lower end pivotally connected at 16 to the interior of an upright tubular valve -1-7 which in turn has its lower end tapered and movable ginto and out of-engagement with the valve seat -13 for closing and opening the drainage outlet 12 This tubular valve -l7 extends some distance above the'level of the outlet --10- and open'at the top to form an overflow pasage for'the liquid which may be introduced into the vat, thereby regulating the level of said liquid irrespective of the amount which may be introduced into the vat.

The operating member 15 is provided with an upward extension 18 having a lateral offset 18' for extension outwardly through a vertically elongated slot 19 in the corresponding side of the cabinet B and is provided at itsouter end with a handle -20 by which the valve 17 may be opened and closed. 1 m

The inner end of the handle -20- is slidably engaged with the outer face of the-side walls of the opening .19v while the inner g face of the same walls is engaged. by: a

ipg the pendant extension of the bushing opening 12. in its lower end surrounded washer 21 which is movable axially of and upon the offset portion --1' as shown in Fi re 8.

An additional washer -23 is secured to the offset portion 18' in spaced relation to the washer '21- to form an end abutment for the adjacent end of a coil spring 22 having its other end engaged with a washer 21 to cause frictional engagement in an opening 24 in the adjacent side wall of the cabinet B- by means of a bolt 25 and clamping bar '26, Figure '11, said plate being held against turning about the axis of the bolt .-25 by studs 27-- projectin inwardly therefrom near the side walls 0% the opening as shown in Figure 11.

' This plate 24 is also provided with an opening 28 for receiving a water supply plpe (not shown) adapted to be connected to a water inlet nozzle-29 leading to the interior of the vat 1 some distance above the level of the overflow valve 17--, said openin 28 being normally closed by a remova le plug 30r, Figure 8.

The lower end of the overflow valve -17 is guidedin its vertical movement by a series of, in this instance three, upright resilient guide members -'-31 which are secured to the bottom section 32 of. the cylindrical portion -11 of the drainage outlet 9 to extend upwardly therefrom as shown in Figures 8 and 10.

The valve operating member-15 is pro- .jded intermediate its ends with an annular groove 33- movable into and out of engagement with a pair of opposed coil springs -34 which are secured to the underside of the cap section 14--'and tensioned toengage opposite faces of the stem 15 for frictionally holding the valve and its oper- I eating means -in an' open position when the groove --33 is registered with the springs. The bushing -3 in the bottom of the vat 1- is provided with a central tubular post 35 extending upwardly therefrom some distance above the level of the top of the overflow valve -17- and therefore above the level of the water in the vat to prevent leakage of the water from the vat downwardly along. the motor shaft 6, the connection between the tubularpost 35 and bushing -3'- being permanent and water tight to avoid the use of s'tufling boxes which are always subject to leakage.

The motor shaft extends from the underside upwardly through and above the tubular. post -35v for receiving and supscribed, the

porting an impeller hub '36- having its upper end secured to said shaft by means of a clamping screw --37 and its lower end hollow to extend downwardly around the 5 tubular post. in spaced relation thereto, said hub being provided with opposite projecting impeller plates 38- adapted to circulate the water upwardly and circumferentially wh5en the impeller is rotated by the motor The tubular post is also arranged in spaced relation to the motor shaft. -6 to avoid frictional enga ment therewith so that the impeller may e supported entirely by and upon the upper end of the shaft which in turn is journaled in the motor case.

In apparatus of this character it is desirable to conserve the use of water and also the electric current both of which are usually furnished at meter rates and for this purpose are limited to the capacity of the motor and impeller by means of the overflow valve -17, the motor and impeller being selected.

to produce the most eflicient circulation of the water upwardly through the ope'nwork trays as C and C' and dishes which may be placed therein.

In other words the volume of water is limited to the power capacity of the motor which power capacity of the motor may be said to be in substantial balance while the spacing of the tubular post 35 from the motor shaft and from the hub of t e impeller clearly reduces the frictional 'res tance to the operation of the motor and permits the use of a motor of relatively small power. capacity and at the same time the extension'of the tubulan post 35- above the top of the overflow valve 17 automatically prevents any liability of leakage of the water pm the vat over the top of the post and downwardly along the motor shaft irre ipective of the amount of water which may e introduced into the vat through the inlet nozzle -29- or otherwise. i'

The lower tray C is supported upon the marginal edges Qof the conical bottom 2 of the vat while the upper tray C is supported upon the top section of the "cabinet B. in a manner hereinafter depper marginal edge of said vat being provi ed with an outturned marginal flange -39 for reinforcing and other pur- .poses hereinafter described. J

The spray nozzle .I' -29- is secured in an opening in the adjacent side of the vat 1-- some distance above the level of the overflow valve 17-- and preferably between the lower and upper trays ,C- and C' and is arranged to spray the infiowing water inwardly, upwardly and downwardly through Uabinet The cabinet B preferably comprises a sheet metal shell which is substantially rectangular in top plan and of suificient size to entirely enclose, conceal and support the mechanical dishwasher previously described.

As illustrated the cabinet is substantially square in top plan and of somewhat greater cross-sectional area than that of the vat so as to leave a clear open space between the marginal portions of the vatand side walls of the cabinet which preferably extend some distance above and below the corresponding ends of the mechanical dishwasher as shown more clearly in Figure 4, said cabinet being supported upon casters -40 near the corners thereof as shown in Figure 4, but obviously may be supported upon legs -40- as shown in Figures 12 and 13, without departing from the spirit of the inventlon.

These casters 40and legs 40'- are provided with similar means for attaching them to the bottom of the cabinet. and are preferably of the removable type so that they may be interchanged if desired.

The means for supporting the mechamcal dishwasher within the cablnet com rises a pair of diametrically opposite angers 41 and an additional pair of diametrically opposite hangers 41' arranged in a plane at right angles to the hangers 41-, said hangers being secured by clamping bolts 42- to the inner faces of the corresponding sides of the cabinet substantially midway between the corners thereof as shown more clearly in Figu es 5 and 6, and pro-' vided with inwardly projecting vertically spaced flanges 43 and -44- to -for m intervening spaces for receiving the adjacent portions of the marginal flange -39-- on the upper end of the vat -1- as shown more clearly in Figure 6. r

The lower flanges 44- are provided w th threaded apertures for receiving a corresponding number of clampingbolts which engage the underside of the adJacent portions of the marginal flange.39 of the vat for supporting said vat and other parts mounted thereon in an upright position within the cabinet B as shown more clearly in Figure 6.

A rectangular cap plate or section 4(i is supported upon the upper marginal edge of the cabinet B through the medium of interposed rubber or equivalent buffers -47-, Figure 6, said cap ring being provided with an outer downturned marginal flange 48 i 55 said trays and against the dishes therein'for extending around the upper end of the-up- 13c right portion of the cabinet --B in spaced v top plan and has its lower edge extending into spaces between the flanges the upper'end of the vat -,1- and provided with an upwardly and outwardly projecting marginal. flange -50- extending into the v -4eand -44 or rather between the marginal flange 39 of the vat 1 and uppe rest upon said marginal flange -39-+ through the medium of a rubber or equivalent gasket -51, Figure 6.

The lower edge of the frusto-conical flange 49.is united. to the marginal flange 50 .by abeaded portion 52'- which projects into the upper end of the vat and serves to deflect the upwardly. circulating water inwardly away from the joint between the flanges 39 and 50.

This frusto-conical flan 49 also serves as a means for supporting t e upper marginal of the inner face of the frusto-conical flange.

as shown in Figure 6, to form a water tight joint therewith when the lid is closed.

The flanges 39 and .50 together with the intervening. gasket 51 are also clamped together by a plurality of in this instance four, clamping members -'--60 arranged opposite the corners of the cabinet and substantially midway between the vat supporting members -41 and 41' as shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 7, the

' members 60- being somewhat similar to the members --41- and 41 exec t that they are not secured to the cabinet ut are 'provided' with the'vertically spaced flanges 43,and 44 and clamping screws right walls of the vat 1 and cabinet -B to hold the vat against lateral vibration when the mechanical dishwasher is in operation.

If desired a shelf 64- ma be attached to one side of thecabinet i one or more bolts in which case the elf would be additionally supported a hav membe closed to ing one end secured to the underside of the shelf as shown in Figure 6 and its other end secured to the cabinet adjacent the spacing block 63- which then serves .to revent buckling of the adjacentportion of t e cab-v inet by any ordinary weight which may be carried b the shelf.

One si e of the cabinet isprovided with an openin -67 extending from a plane just below t e plate '24: to the bottom of the cabinet between upright corner flanges .68' of said cabinet and normally closed by a door -68-, said door being hinged at 69 along one of its upright edges and hav ing its opposite edge provided with a locking r -70 movable into and out of engagement with a keeper. -71- on the adja cent flange 68''as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3. The locking member 70, is provided with a handle 72 j ournaled in an opening in the adjacent portion of the door by which it maybe movedto and from its locking position, said locking member ing rovided with stops 74 at opposite si es'o its pivot for engaging an inwardl projectin part 73 of the door frame and t ereby limlting the movement of the locking member in opposite directions and incidentally reducing the liability of contact of the lockin member with the adjacent portion of the ca inet when the door is opened and closed.

- When the apparatus is used in laces where drainage conditions are inaccessible suitable means is provlded for receiving the dramage water. from the vat -1'- and for this purpose a receptacle 75 is removably mounted upon the inner side of the door -68- to move therewith.

This receptacle is preferably rectangular and elongated laterally and is provided at its outer side with a 'pair of upright straps -76 secured thereto in horizontally. spaced relation and having their upper ends provided with outwardly and downwardly turned flanges 77 adapted to enter a corresponding number of loops .78 which are fastened to the inner face of the door as shown in Figures 2, v4 and 8.

The top of the receptacle '75 is ro- --vided with an opening 80 adapted to register with the lower end of the drainage outlet 12.when the receptacle is in operative position u on the door and the door is permit the drainage of the water 'fromrthe vat throughthe outlet 12 and valve 17'is open. 1'

The receptacle -75 is of sufiicientca-- pacity to rece the volume of water com- -monlyused=f dishwashing purposes and is- Current may be supplied to the motor from .into the receptacle 75- when the overflow a cable 83- which is passed throu h a.

any available source through the medium of bushing 84-- in the upper portion 0 one side of the cabinet and is provided with an electric plug --83'adapted to be connected to any available electric socket (not shown) the motorcircuit being provided with a suitable switch having an operating member -86- in one side of the cabinet above the door 68 as shown in Figure 1.

The main parts of the apparatus are pref-' screws 45-.

The spacing blocks 63 are then placed in the openings 62-- on the pendant arms 6l of the clamping members 41- after which the jacket or cabinet .B-- is inverted and placed in position with its lower edge resting in the buflers 47- on the cap plate The bolts 42 are then inserted through their respective openings in the cabinet B- and engaged in the threaded sockets in the .trays -O and C' to be corresponding clamping members -41 and 41 thereby firmly locking the cabinet to said clamping members which in turn had been previously locked to the overlapping flanges.-39 and 50 of the vat 1-.

and cap section 46.

The cabinet with the vat securely fastened therein is then brought to its normal upright position after which the bushing -3-, motor-supporting frame 4-, motor 5 and impeller hub 36 may be assembled in the manner previously described, it being understood that the motor. and its supporting frame--4 may be placed in operative position through the door opening 67.- when the door -68- is opened. The lid 56 may then be opened to permit the placed inoperative position within the vat.

While the door -68 is still open the receptacle may be placed inoperative position thereon so that when the door is closed the inlet of the receptacle will be registered with the drainage outlet -12-, the apparatus being then ready for operation.

The requisite amount of water may be supplied to the interior of the vat by any means,

preferably by connecting the inlet nozzle -29- with a source of water supply.

As soon as the water in the vat risesto the level of the top ofthe overflow valve 17 it will flow therethrough and through the dii'ainage pipe -12 into the receptacle- 75-- without regard toany additional ggantity of water which may be permitted to w into the vat, it being understoodthat the connection of the tubular post 35 with the bottom section 3 of the vat will automatically prevent leakage of the water over the top of the post by reason of the fact that it extends above the level of the overflow.

When the dishes, are placed within the trays C and -C.- and the lid 56 is closed the rotation of the impeller by means of the motor 5 will cause the water to be circulated upwardly and circumferentially through the openwork dish-supporting trays and against the dishes therein.

This operation is continued until the dishes are thoroughly cleansed after which the valve 17 may be opened by the lifting of the handle 20 to allow the soiled water to drain from the outlet --10 into the receptacle --75- which, when the door 68 is opened, may be easily removed and emptied and then replaced for a repetition of the operation just described after the door 68- with the receptacle 75' thereonhave been returned to their normal positions.

When the dishes are thoroughly washed fresh clean water may be introduced through the spray nozzle 29 for rinsing the dishes while still in the'trays C- and C, this rinsing water also serving to clean the interior of the vat and other parts connected thereto by simply allowing the valve -17 to remain open for the free flow of the rinsing water into the receptacle 75.

The tra s with the dishes thereon may remain in p ace until thoroughly dry and then removed for storing the dishes in their usual places.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a dishwasher having a cylindrical vat for receiving the wash ing fluid and dishes to be washed, said vat havin its upper end provided with an outturned flange, of an enclosing cabinet therefor, clamping members bolted to the cabinet in circumferentially spaced relation and provided with adjustable means for engaging the underside of the flange and'supporting the entire diswasher.

2. The combination with a dishwasher having a c lindrical vat for receiving the washing flllld and dishes to be washed, said vat having its upper end provided with an outturned marginal flange, of an enclosing cabinet therefor, a plate supported upon the cabinet and-provided with a flange overhanging the flange on the vat, and means for clamping the flanges together whereby the dishwasher is at least partially supported by the plate.

3. The combination with a dishwasher having a cylindrical vat for receiving the washing fluid and dishes to be washed, said vat having its upper end provided with an out- -turned marginal-flange, of an enclosing cabv said wall. 1

inet therefor, a cap plate supported upon the upper end of the cabinet and provided with a downwardly tapered frusto-conical wall having an'out-turned flan e overhangin the flange of the vat, means ior clamping said flanges together, and a lid hinged to the cap to move into and out of engagement with 4. The combination with a dishwasher having a vat for receiving the dishes and washing fluid, an upright casin surrounding the vat, means on the casing orsup rting the vat thereon, a cap-plate su porte on the upper end of the casing, an additional means 01111 the cap-plate for additionally supporting t e vat.

5. The combination with a dishwasher having a vat for receiving the dishes and washing fluid, said vat having its up er end provided with an out-turned flange of a caiitrg surrounding thevat, a cap-section suppo on the upper end of the casingand rovided with a flange overlyin the flange o the vat,

means for clamping said flanges together, and means for securing the clamping means to the casing.

6. The combination with a dishwasher hav-v ing a vat for receivin the dishes and washin fluid, said vat havm its upper end pro- .vi ed with 'an out-turne flange, of a casin surrounding the vat, a cap-section support upon the upper end of said casing and pro-' vided with a downwardly tapered frustoconical wall having an out turned flange overlying the flange of the vat, devices for clamping said flanges together, means for securing said devices to the casing, and a lid hinged to the cap-section to swing into and out of-en- I gagement with said wall. 7. The combination with a' dishwasher having a vat for receiving the dishes and washing fluid, said vat having a drainage outlgti a casingsurro'undin the vat and provid with a door in one si e, means for supporting the vat within and upon the casing, and a receptacle mounted on the door to move therewith into and out of registrationwith the Q drainage outlet to receive the drainage therefrom.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of November, 1929.

FORREST A. WALKER. 

